International Master Jan Emmanuel Garcia of Manila (center) paid a courtesy call to Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman Ricardo Garcia (left) and accompanied by National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) Committee Chairman for Grassroots Development and Promotions Rep. Neri Javier Colmenares of Bayan Muna Party-list group (right). The top player of Ateneo de Manila University is a member of the Team Philippines that won a total of 65 medals in standard, rapid and blitz events during the 14th ASEAN+ Age-Group Chess Championships in Chiang Mai, Thailand last June 5 to 14, 2013. The team collected 24 gold medals, 28 silver medals and 13 bronze medals, a marked improvement from last year's 12-36-9 gold-silver-bronze haul in Hue, Vietnam.

MANILA—International Master (IM) Jan Emmanuel Garcia lived up to his top billing on Wednesday, after halving the point with Ganesan Akash of India in the sixth and penultimate round and beating Eiti Bashir of Syria in the seventh and final round to become the Philippines' double gold medalist and put a dent on India's dominance in the Asian Youth Chess Championship 2013 in Sari, Iran.

The Manila resident Garcia, top player of Ateneo de Manila University notched a total of 6.5 points on six wins and a draw in seven outings in ruling the open under-18 category, Blitz chess competition.

Patil Pratik Pravin of India subdued Ismailov Mukhit of Kazakhstan to scored 5.5 points and settled for silver medal. Le Tuan Minh of Vietnam defeated Ganesan Akash of India to scored 5.0 points to went home the bronze medal.

It was the second gold medal of the Philippines' brightest hope Garcia, who also topped the Standard competition after edging Ma Zhonghan of China in a tie break points.

Fide Master Paulo Bersamina of Pasay City (center) paid a courtesy call to Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman Ricardo Garcia (left) and accompanied by National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) Committee Chairman for Grassroots Development and Promotions Rep. Neri Javier Colmenares of Bayan Muna Party-list group (right). The top player of Ateneo de Manila University is a member of the Team Philippines that won a total of 65 medals in standard, rapid and blitz events during the 14th ASEAN+ Age-Group Chess Championships in Chiang Mai, Thailand last June 5 to 14, 2013. The team collected 24 gold medals, 28 silver medals and 13 bronze medals, a marked improvement from last year's 12-36-9 gold-silver-bronze haul in Hue, Vietnam.

Other Filipinos who delivered with bronze medals were Fide Master Paulo Bersamina of Pasay City in the open under-16 and Daryl Unix Samantila of Tonsuya, Malabon in the open under-14. Bersamina split the point with Das Sayantan of India to climb to 4.5 points, 1.5 points behind gold medallist Tran Tuan Minh of Vietnam (6.0 points) and silver medallist Das (5.0 points).

Daryl Unix Samantila of Tonsuya, Malabon (center) paid a courtesy call to Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman Ricardo Garcia (left) and accompanied by National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) Committee Chairman for Grassroots Development and Promotions Rep. Neri Javier Colmenares of Bayan Muna Party-list group (right). The top player of Ateneo de Manila University is a member of the Team Philippines that won a total of 65 medals in standard, rapid and blitz events during the 14th ASEAN+ Age-Group Chess Championships in Chiang Mai, Thailand last June 5 to 14, 2013. The team collected 24 gold medals, 28 silver medals and 13 bronze medals, a marked improvement from last year's 12-36-9 gold-silver-bronze haul in Hue, Vietnam.

The pride of Adamson University Samantila drew with Veerappan Aravindh Chithambaram of India to finish with 5.5 points and take third behind gold medallist Veerappan (6.0 points) and silver medallist Murali Karthikeyan of India (5.5 points).

"This is another major achievement for the NCFP in particular and the country as a whole." said National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) chairman/president Prospero "Butch" Pichay Jr. when informed about the news.

NCFP secretary general and Cavite 7th district Rep. Abraham "Bambol" Tolentino Jr. said the success of the young athletes once again proved chess's lofty record as a certified achiever.

"Once again our flag has been raised in this foreign land after knowing that our Filipino kababayans won the coveted gold medals in the Blitz and Standard competition as well silver and bronze medal," said Tolentino, also the Asian Zone 3.3 FIDE President.

Current world youngest Fide Master seven year old Alekhine Nouri of Taguig City is 6th place in the open under-8 in the Blitz event and 7th place in the Standard play.

The country's campaign in the tournament is supported by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP), Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) and Bayan Muna Party-list group.

Other member of the team are Istraelito Rilloraza of Las Pinas City (OU12); Deniel Quizon of Taytay, Rizal (OU10); Woman Fide Master Marie Antoinette San Diego of Dasmarinas, Cavite (G18); Ella Grace Moulic of Davao City (G16); Samantha Glo Revita of Rosales, Pangasinan (G14); Bea Mendoza of Baguio City (G12); Mary Joy Tan of Misamis Oriental (G10) and Jerlyn Mae San Diego of Dasmarinas, Cavite (G8).